H—ls

Wellington. Auckland. First Mate, H.T. .. 6 8 Yacht Master . . . . 5 6 Master, 25-ton .. . . 1 2 Master, Fishing-vessel . . 2 I Master, River Limits . . . . 1 5 49 64 Total, 113 The percentage of passes was \ 7 ery high, and this is due entirely to the painstaking work of the Directors. The radical alteration in the set-up of the " Admiralty Abridged Almanac " and the introduction of G.H.A. of the sun and G.H.A. of Aries will throw .additional responsibilities on to the Directors. LIGHTHOUSES, RADIO BEACONS, ETC. The Department's programme regarding new installations and the improvement of existing navigational aids has been pursued as far as practicable. During the year the following work was carried out : New Installations Completed and Commissioned: — Electric Automatic — Motuara Island, at entrance to Queen Charlotte Sound. Gibson Point, between Lyttelton and Kaikoura. Slope Point, at Eastern entrance to Foveaux Strait. Whangaroa Harbour Entrance. Tauranga, Mount Maunganui. Gas Automatic : Whitianga, Mercury Bay. Electric Buoy Light: Awanui, North Auckland. In addition to above, four small battery electric flashing lights have been installed at Lake Taupo for use of the fishing-fleet. NEW INSTALLATIONS IN PROGRESS Electric Automatic (five in number) : Cape Kidnappers, Slipper Island, Cape Farewell, Ohau Point, and Bushy Point. All equipment is on order, and completion is anticipated this year. Preliminary Work has been commenced for new automatic lights at Durham Point (Chatham Island), Motuketekete Island (Hauraki Gulf), Putiki Point (Waiheke Island), Mangonui Heads (North Auckland). Electrification of automatic beacons at North Cape and Channel Island is now •completed, and light on Chickens re-established. Portland Island. —Preliminary work has been commenced for electrification of light and installation of modern radio beacon. Cape Egmont Light, —Electrification and connection to mains supply should be completed in three months. Moerahi Light. —Conversion from fixed to flashing character should be completed in three months. Baring Head Light is now modernized and connected to main electric supply. Radio Beacons. —The equipment for standard radio beacons at Tiri Tiri, East Caj)e 3 ■Godley Head, Taiaroa Head, and Dog Island is on order. ENGAGEMENT OF SEAMEN This service has been maintained. A record of seamen applying for work is kept for the purpose of filling vacancies.

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